Time
travels fast. I have two of model 300695 which is Firewire only. It's
been replaced by the otherwise identical model 300766 which adds USB2
to Firewire as well as an 8MB vs. 2MB buffer. I updated my links above
to the newer model, which I'm also buying. Note that this series comes
in other GB capacities and RPMs, too.

You
need this tiny drive for digital photography. I use it in the field
to backup my digital camera images from my laptop immediately before
I erase my CF cards. This way if my laptop dies I have not lost my
images before I return for formal backup and archiving.

Likewise I store all the past years' images and scans that won't fit
on my laptop here. This tiny drive fits right in my laptop case and
is powered from the firewire cord, so no AC adapter is needed as with
the larger drives. Yes, the whole thing runs off the laptop battery
anywhere.

This
is what I use. You can spend more to get even tinier ones and less
to get physically larger ones or less data capacity. I like this one
for the tiny size, self-powering and cool looks.

etc,
also available in different capacities and RPMS. Personally since
I'm using these for archiving and backup, not online HDTV video editing,
the slowest RPM is fine for me.

PERFORMANCE

It
works great. Just plug in the one cable to your Mac and it works.
No drivers, no installation, no software, no CDs or anything needed:
just plug it in, no power supply required. Of course I go to Mac's
Disk Tools utility (Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility)
to erase and name it the first time. I have no idea what's involved
if you're on a windows PC.

RECOMENDATIONS

Buy
one like I did. Heck, I bought two and rotate them. These also work
fine for formal system backups, however these cost more compared to
the heavier drives I have to plug in the wall.